Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 1996, La Reine Pedauque

Tasting note from trusted contributor Daniel Simon. Concentrated, deep pinot colour with a brick red rim belying the wine's age. Strong cherry aromas with traces of red current and hints of freshly cut foliage. Savoury and coffee aromes slowly emerge. Distinct absence of the usual farmyard aromas typical of aged burgundies yet showing beautifully. Concentrated on the palate - good velvety texture with an impressive tannin structure made more elegant by age. A richness and voluptuousness that is hard to beat - showing at the peak of its game. Pity there wasn't a second bottle. Ideal with succulent Welsh lamb.

Bonnes-mares is a tiny grand cru appellation situated on the communes of Chambolle and Musigy in the Cote de Nuits. Only a dozen or so producers make Bonnes-mares. The best producers being Robert Groffier, Georges Roumier, Jean-Luc Aegerter, Domaine Arlaud, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze, Fougeray de Beauclair. Only 494 hectolitres were produced in 2005 which is about the same as individual grand cru vineyards like Le Chambertin and Clos-de-Beze. La Reine Pedauque is a large negociant firm based in Corgoloin.

After studying at l'Université de Bourgogne I have never wavered from the righteous path of the Cote d'Or. Winning captain of the Cambridge University Blind Wine-Tasting team in 1998 and Puligny home-owner.